Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT) is India’s largest manufacturer of writing and printing (W&P) paper. One of its manufacturing unit ‘Sewa paper Mill’ located in village Gaganapur, Post Office Jeypore District Koraput Orissa - 764 002. This plant produce Easy Print, Bilt Image Copier, Sunshine Maplitho quality paper [1]. |
| Name | Sewa Paper Mill in Gangapur, Orissa, India |
| Country | India |
| Province | Orissa |
| Site | Gangapur |
| Accuracy of Location | HIGH local level |
| Type of Conflict (1st level) | Industrial and Utilities conflicts |
| Type of Conflict (2nd level) | Agro-toxics Manufacturing activities Landfills, toxic waste treatment, uncontrolled dump sites Water treatment and access to sanitation (access to sewage) |
| Specific Commodities | Industrial waste Water Paper Mill |
| Project Details | Sewa Paper Mill produce different types of paper for example; Easy Print, Bilt Image Copier, Sunshine Maplitho the unit has annual production capacity of 65,000 tonns per annum [1] |
| Project Area (in hectares) | 121 |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Potential Affected Population | 1000-2000 |
| Start Date | 18/01/2003 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Ballarpur Group from India |
| Relevant government actors | Jeypore Sub-collector, Odisha State Pollution Control Board |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Villagers of Umuri, Phampuni, Kaligam, Dhanpur, Randapali, Amabaguda, Ekamaba, Tankua and Balia panchayat areas |
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| When did the mobilization begin | Mobilization for reparations once impacts have been felt |
| Groups Mobilizing | Farmers Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities |
| Forms of Mobilization | Blockades Street protest/marches Protesters have locked up the factory gate for an indefinite period if the demand is not fulfilled [2]. |
| Environmental Impacts | Visible: Food insecurity (crop damage), Soil contamination, Waste overflow Potential: Air pollution, Biodiversity loss (wildlife, agro-diversity), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Noise pollution, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Surface water pollution / Decreasing water (physico-chemical, biological) quality, Groundwater pollution or depletion, Large-scale disturbance of hydro and geological systems, Reduced ecological / hydrological connectivity |
| Other | The waste water of the paper mill is also entering water bodies in the peripheral villages resulting in the death of cattle. |
| Health Impacts | Visible: Infectious diseases |
| Other | Villagers are also suffering from skin infections. |
| Socio-economic Impacts | Potential: Loss of livelihood, Loss of traditional knowledge/practices/cultures, Land dispossession, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
| Other | The waste water of the paper mill is also entering water bodies in the peripheral villages resulting in the death of cattle. Villagers are also suffering from skin infections. |
| Project Status | In operation |
| Pathways for conflict outcome / response | Compensation Environmental improvements, rehabilitation/restoration of area New legislation Strengthening of participation Technical solutions to improve resource supply/quality/distribution |
| Development of Alternatives | They demand compensation of Rs 10 lakh for an acre of damaged land. Sub-collector (Jeypore) is looking after the grievances of the villagers [2]. |
| Do you consider this as a success? | Not Sure |
| Why? Explain briefly. | Sub-collector (Jeypore) is looking after the grievances of the villagers [2].Crop damage due to effluents of the mill, the Sewa Paper Mill has given compensation to farmers. |
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| Contributor | Swapan Kumar Patra |
| Last update | 08/04/2014 |